Digital library initiatives in India: a proposal for open distance learning

Information and communication technologies have brought significant changes in all-round development of the society through transmission of information. Information is the fulcrum for power and wealth and very crucial for economic and social development of the society. In India, a number of digital library initiatives and digitization programmes have been initiated across the country. Most of the digital library initiatives are government funded. The Ministry of Communications and Information technology has also established the Digital Library of India. This paper discusses various problems, challenges and issues involved in design and development of digital libraries in India. The paper highlights the role of Distance Education Council (DEC) as an Apex body in co-ordinating Distance Education, Research and technology transfer in India. One of the greatest strength of Open Distance Learning (ODL) is its ability to harness the latest communication technologies to reach the unreached and to reduce inequalities and respond to socio, cultural and economic contexts of the learners and promote excellence. It\u27s approach and framework stand on three pillars – relevance, equality and excellence. This paper proposes a Digital Library System for Open Universities in India